Philadelphia Nursing Home Falls Lawyer
Each year, many adults aged 65 and older suffer from broken bones and other injuries due to falls. People who are admitted to the hospital with fall-related injuries are more likely to fall again in the 6 months after discharge. These types of falls have become a serious problem for the elderly, as they result in life-changing injuries and, in some cases, death. Sadly, serious and fatal falls are more likely to occur at nursing homes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1,800 older adults living in nursing homes die from fall-related injuries each year.
If you’ve trusted a medical professional, nursing home, or hospital to care for your loved one, they are responsible for preventing this kind of accident. When a caretaker fails to uphold this responsibility, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Gay Chacker & Ginsburg Trial Lawyers, our experienced older adult fall attorneys can help you pursue justice and recover a financial award to account for injuries and losses.
Why Are Falls More Common in Nursing Homes?
Elderly people generally enter nursing homes because they need a higher level of care than those who can live independently. Many nursing home residents have a hard time walking and need help getting around. They may also have problems with their mental and physical health. All of these factors can increase the risk of a fall.
When this at-risk population is neglected due to understaffing or poorly trained employees, falls are nearly inevitable.
Per the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987, all nursing homes are required to have a certain staff-to-resident ratio, consider the risk factors of each patient, and create a comprehensive care plan to minimize falls and other accidents.
If you or a loved one suffered a fall in a nursing home, the home likely failed its legal responsibilities and should be held accountable.
What Causes Older Adult Falls?
As we mentioned in the previous section, falls are frequently caused by a combination of pre-existing conditions and caretaker error.
The most common causes of older adult falls are below:
- Muscle weakness and problems with walking or gait (24%)
- Dangerous conditions, like wet floors and poor lighting (15-27%)
- Sedatives and other medications
- Changes in medication
- Transfers to and from bed
- Inadequate care, especially of the feet
- Poorly fitting shoes
- Misuse of walking aids
- Lack of a fall prevention plan
While older adults cannot prevent changes to their bodies as they age, nursing homes and their staff can prevent nearly all other causes of falls. Further, nursing homes and their employees exist to help elderly people live with special care and without preventable injuries.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall, please contact our attorneys today.
How Serious Are Fall-Related Injuries?
Many older adults are afraid of falling because it can have serious effects on their health.
When an elderly person falls, they may sustain injuries such as:
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries
- Hip fractures
All of these injuries can lead to a decline in an older person’s overall health and quality of life. Some falls result in disability, and older adults may avoid socializing and other everyday tasks to avoid future falls.
When nurses, doctors, and other providers care for the elderly appropriately, they can reduce not only injuries but also feelings of helplessness and depression. Like anyone else, older adults have the right to a healthy, happy, and dignified life – especially in nursing homes.
If this has not been the case for you or your loved one, our firm can help you file a lawsuit.
How Our Attorneys Help
Often, families are unable to see problems with a caretaker or nursing home until it is too late. While these families can move their loved one from one facility to another or fire an existing caretaker, there isn’t much they can do about the injuries that have already occurred.
That’s where Gay Chacker & Ginsburg Trial Lawyers steps in. Our experienced older adult fall attorneys can help you hold negligent caretakers and nursing homes responsible for their actions.
If your case is successful, those who harmed you or your loved one will have to pay for any injuries or losses they sustained.
Compensation can help cover:
- Medical bills
- Costs of relocation
- Rehabilitative expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Changes to quality of life
- And more
To pursue the funds you are entitled to, discuss your case with us at 215-567-7955 or schedule a consultation online.
